Daytona Beach, FL – Lifeguards were called to the scene in New Smyrna Beach after a sea turtle weighing hundreds of pounds washed up dead.
The body of an approximately 800 pound leatherback was discovered Sunday afternoon just north of the Dolphin Avenue walkover, according to Volusia County Beach Safety & Ocean Rescue.
Beach Safety Captain Aaron Jenkins says the turtle appeared to be an adult that was at least 10 years old.
“Somebody just walking on the beach spotted it,” Jenkins added.
It’s unclear at this time how the turtle died, but samples were taken to help determine that, according to Jenkins.
“I think it had been dead for quite a while [before washing ashore],” Jenkins noted.
It’s a bit unusual to see leatherbacks wash ashore in Volusia, but Jenkins says heavy surf coming from the northeast helped push the body ashore in this particular case.
The carcass was removed from the beach soon after the samples were taken, per Jenkins.
Photo above of the actual turtle is courtesy of Beach Safety.
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